Geeks To Go is a helpful hub, where thousands of volunteer geeks quickly serve friendly answers and support. Check out the forums and get free advice from the experts. Register now to gain access to all of our features, it's FREE and only takes one minute. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to create topics, post replies to existing threads, give reputation to your fellow members, get your own private messenger, post status updates, manage your profile and so much more.

ILLEGAL TO LEGAL....

TROPICALRAINS

Posted 28 August 2008 - 06:36 PM

TROPICALRAINS

New Member

Member

1 posts

I bought a computer with a illegal copy of windows xp installed. I was able to use my pc with no problems until I tried to upgrade my present IE and messengers. Recently I was given a LEGAL cd with windows xp. I have tried to install it using the repair function, but i got a mesaage that said it cant be repaired and would have install freshly.
I do not have a backup system and i don't want to lose any of my programs and files. I think that the legal copy recognizes that my present copy is illegal so it wont let me repair. Is there anyway that i can get round past this without losing all my data and reformatting my hd?

The Skeptic

Posted 30 August 2008 - 12:56 AM

The Skeptic

Trusted Tech

Technician

4,075 posts

This can be done if your legal CD is of the same version as the illegal. Dsennette is correct, I did it a few times already. You call microsoft and they e-mail to you a tool that you use to activate XP with the new key product. five minutes and all is set.